Claudette Colvin: One of Many Unsung Heroines

Claudette Colvin:  Age 15

Abdul Ali wrote an article for The Root on Claudette Colvin titled, "The Woman Civil Rights Leaders Threw Under The Bus".  She was 15 years old when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery and was forcefully removed and assaulted by authorities.  She was referred to as the "Other Rosa Parks" during that period when Mrs. Parks became the symbol of resistance to Montgomery's segregated transportation system.  The historical accounts omitted her over time and many were taught that Rosa Parks was the only one who defied the system.  There were other blacks who resisted this southern practice as well and Ms. Parks would educate the audiences wherever she spoke about these courageous citizens. The selection process, however, for  this bold stance was based on colorism, stature and age.  In Mr. Ali's article, he provided a link to 'Democracy Now' and their interview with Ms. Colvin, age 73 about those events and what paths she's travelled since then.  

White Fear Trumps Black Life - Leonard Pitts Jr. - MiamiHerald.com

 An excellent commentary on the Jordan Davis trial, implications of a re-trial and securing justice, security and some modicum of well-being  for our young black men.














Link:

Protecting 'Our' Children in the Wake of the Michael Dunn Verdict.

Frances Ellen Harper: An Unsung Freedom Fighter

This is a re-print of an article on The Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography Website.  Frances Ellen Watkins Harper is one of the many unsung female freedom fighters , for whom I'd like to feature during Black History Month.  Their lives were fascinating and inspiring.  We must not forget them and our descendants have a given right to know the sheroes and heroes who made sacrifices that led to the freedom they are enjoying today. With that said, the struggle still continues for full equality.     

Garveyism: A Movement Defined By The Times!

Marcus Garvey: 08/17/1887~06/10/1940

"God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement." — Marcus Garvey

I was visiting one of my favorite historical sites and noticed a perspective written by Robin Dearmon Muhammad titled "Garveyism Looks Toward the Pacific:The UNIA and Black Workers In the West". This article on their efforts in the west was quite illuminating and a grand gesture despite the daunting challenges. 

 I would encourage the readers to peruse the above piece. I feel that Mr. Garvey's movement and accomplishments have been diminished by some historians.  He's been described as buffoonish and was publicly denigrated by W.E.B. Dubois, whom at that time wasn't too interested in working class blacks and held a rather elistist view of black accomplishments.  There were failures and the trusting of some blacks who didn't take seriously his efforts to expand the goals of working class and poor African-Americans not only in the states but globally.                                               

Self-help and economic empowerment were his goals and I give him an A for effort/endeavor and F for those African-Americans who stood by and ridiculed him and those followers who were trying to "uplift the race" through action as well as education.  They struggled for a better life.  Robin Muhammad's assessment clearly exemplifies Mr. Garvey's endeavors and those of his followers with historical accuracy as one would encounter in some versions of that phenomenon.  Professor Gates' views on Garveyism entailed a marginal view of what the movement was about and was rather brief and dismissive in the PBS special 'Many Rivers to Cross'.  Dr. Gates' personal views were also revealed when addressing what the movement tried to accomplish by focusing on the mistakes and marginalizing the successes that many of his urban followers and their families experienced during that trying period.  

Happy Love Day In All Its Varied Forms!!

When I think of romantic love; intense sexuality, tenuous behaviors, vulnerability, mutual unrealistic expectations come to mind.  Enduring love nurtures sexuality as needed with a shared regard for the welfare of each other. The ability to say I'm sorry and mean it and understanding the need for touch and those 3 magic words (intermittently)...I love you.  ~ Carolyn Moon ~ 

One of the many images of romantic love!

There are many ways in which we love and to take a day to celebrate it doesn't negate that this should be couched in the mundane, challenging and intriguing aspects of daily life.  As Susan Piver's piece "A Day Of Love" so eloquently states in her seven ways to show love to all humanity.  It's not just romantic relationships that should overshadow this day for they are tenuous and necessary with exceptions, of course.  The reaching out to others in caring and thoughtful ways should be the driving force 365 days a year with an exclamation mark on the 14th.

The Face of Humanity

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.  ~  Martin Luther King, Jr

Love of Family Is Essential

Love of the Global Family

Love is that condition in the human spirit so profound that it allows me to survive, and better than that, to thrive with passion, compassion, and style.  ~ Maya Angelou ~

'Just Because'

Black History Month: An Ongoing Catalyst For The Emerging Body Of African Diasporic Scholarship

 Is there a need for Black History Month? It seems that every year for a number of decades, the question lends to an ongoing debate that can be empowering or dismissed by many.  It usually depends on the political, financial or cultural leanings of the various populations.  There are those who bother to have an opinion on the topic or have a vested interest in promoting it.  

As a member of the latter group, these lovely drawings of young girls are symbolic of why I'm committed to maintaining the celebration of black history.  Our descendants not only deserve the practice but the ongoing scholarship it evokes.  We aren't post racial by any means. Our tribe in America continues to be victimized by the phenomenon of cyclic inequality. It seems that we take moderate strides  in the fight for human rights and equality only to face  familiar as well as contemporary  barriers. The latter has been covert on many fronts and since the election  of a two-term African-American President; these obstacles have become more apparent.   Another consideration is that we've never really made substantial gains and given our history in this country; some of us are content with the symbolism and "insufficient fund checks".